Emma Watson has revealed that leaving her Harry Potter alter-ego behind was "liberating".

The 22-year-old actress, best known for playing bookish wizard Hermione Granger in the fantasy films, has taken her first major post-Potter role in The Perks Of Being A Wallflower.

The movie is a coming-of-age drama based on Stephen Chbosky's novel.

Watson attended a screening of the film at London's Mayfair Hotel, and talked about the transition she has made.

She said: "It was challenging. I was very nervous, having played someone who was so restrained and very English to playing this free-spirited American girl, which was at the other end of the spectrum for me.

"It took a while to break down a lot of the barriers I didn't even realise I had put up for myself.

"So when I did, it felt very liberating. I'm very proud of the film."

Watson revealed that she would not be against going back to Harry Potter films, after JK Rowling teased that there could be more from the wizarding series.

The author said that she had left "the door ajar" for more books in the future.

Meanwhile, both cast member and author seem to be spreading their wings from the success of Harry Potter.